A/N: Thank you so much for your reviews, Sensue. They encourage me to post further and faster. Hope others enjoy the story as well. There are still, a few nice romantic chapters for the soul, before we reach the peak of events. This story is not tagged as a drama for nothing. ;-)

Chapter 8 - Reunited

Mike was exhausted, they had planned to be on the ranch by now. But the sun was already close to the horizon. He didn't want to spend another night outside. Wyoming had nothing but open land, bears, and wolves like he had told Wade years ago. He remembered that conversation very well when Wade had told him that he planned to move to this lonely country.

Four years ago - Glastonbury, Connecticut at the Wilmington farm

"You can not be serious, Wade!" Mike Campbell got up from his seat shaken to his core. Wade had asked him and Bastian to come over for a drink. Mike liked coming to Wilmington farm. The many apple trees were about to bloom and the smell all over the property of flowers was just overwhelming in late April. Overwhelming was also the feeling to scream right now about what Wade had told them. That wasn't really happening! He told himself.

"Mike, come take a seat again, let me explain," Wade tried to take his Knight's arm to bring him to sit again, but Mike jerked away, confused and angry.

"You can not take the boys and leave! What has gotten into you? And where did you say you want to move - the new Territory of Wyoming? It is not even explored. The only ones who have ever been there were Lewis and Clark and this trapper, what was his name again? John something. No one lives there, you will be completely alone! Maybe you will find some bears and beavers or even better some Indian tribe! From what are you planning to live? There is nothing but landscape. No doctor or baker, not even a farmer who could sell you something to eat. You've never been out of all the luxury of your sweet home here your father had built. Hell, Sandra even washes your laundry. Sure we were traveling, but I swear, a week out there and you will regret what you are about to do. When you are really doing this, there is no coming back any time soon. You will starve with the boys, they are just kids, Goddamnit! Bidh thu a 'mallachadh dà uair!" Mike had heard enough he punched his fist on the fine white tablecloth hard enough to let their expensive crystal glasses clatter. "Daniel is not even eleven. You will be responsible for the death of your own son, not to say, Cole and Samuel. Have you told Charles Colt about your plan? Or even the boys? Hell, Sam has just adjusted to living here on the farm. He doesn't dare to leave even the property, how do you think he would take a journey across half the country." Mike was out of his mind. How was he supposed to take care of his Guardian when he was thousands of miles away in the lonely west and he would take the boys with him. He wouldn't be able to see Cole nor Daniel or Sam. Mike had started pacing the room while he talked himself into a rage.

"Mike, please. I have the order to do this. We will be safe, she wouldn't risk them."

"Fuck, no! I'm against it! Get your head straight! This is a stupid and dangerous venture. It is ridiculous only to think that to an end. And what this Lady who is visiting you in your dreams is saying… well she can kiss my Scottish arse." Mike turned and stormed out angrily from the porch of the house.

Now...

Bastian had followed him and had persuaded him to let Wade explain. Somehow they had convinced him that it was possible and well thought through. George Harris, their Advisor, had encouraged Wade's plan too. His mother Maddalena Talutti wanted to settle in south Wyoming with her witch coven anyway. So they would have at least the coven in reach.

Being outnumbered, his hands had been tied. The bad feeling he had then, had constricted his heart until they first visited Wade in Wyoming two long years later. To see them healthy and in occasional company with the Absarokee tribe, their new friends calmed Mike's stirred up feelings.

Campbell stopped his wagon and waited for Bastian to close up. The ride with the wagon full of construction wood and the other one Bastian drove with their personal things and furniture slowed them down. But it couldn't be much further. Mike tried to find a landmark to orientate himself and thought to remember this big oak tree. Tracks of horses and wagons which lately had used this path were easy to see. If he was right they had to turn westward at the tree and the next hill should show them the Wilmington Ranch.

Mike made out a rider who came fast toward them from the eastern path. A young man, the black hat pulled deep in his face to shield him from the low standing sun, reined his horse in, and stopped in front of him. When he looked up and revealed his face, Mike couldn't believe it.

He would recognize these bright blue eyes everywhere. Mike beamed at his little buddy. "Cole! I can't believe it." Mike was fast off his seat as well as the young man from his horse.

"Mike! You are finally here! Wade couldn't tell us exactly how long it will take you. Good to see you!"

The two men hugged each other and patted their shoulders. Mike then took Cole by his upper arms, bringing him to arm's length to get a better look at him. "God, Cole you grew to a giant. Is that beard scruff? Good to be around you guys again. Can't wait to see the others. Are you heading home?"

The boy smiled cheekily, tuning his chin from Mike's inspection, embarrassed. "Yeah, I was visiting … uhm … someone," Cole told Mike like he didn't want to share who he had visited.

"Someone … aha ... you don't say. What is her name?" Mike grinned knowingly, he was sure Cole had visited a girl. The feminine smell in Cole's clothes hadn't escaped The Knight. "I can imagine it is hard to find a girl out here in the middle of nowhere. Is she at least pretty?" Mike teased further.

Cole nudged him in his side. "Shut up old man, she is the prettiest girl I've ever seen and her name is Carolyn. Now would you mind taking care of your own business?"

Mike laughed full-hearted, "Oh buddy, don't worry, I'm just proud of you. But at home, we should talk about women. Don't tell me, Wade has already done this. Can't imagine he would. He is not really someone who tells about his conquests."

"No, Wade hadn't said anything. But Ella has told me more than I even wanted to know." Cole had given Mike something to roll over in his head, already climbing up the coachman's seat to accompany Mike during the rest of the drive.

Mike turned to the second wagon. "Bastian, it's Cole! We're heading on." Then Campbell took the seat next to Cole, thinking about any possibility if Cole talked about Ella's Etablissement in Fort William. They had stopped there too. He was sure Wade wouldn't have dragged the boy into a brothel, would he?

*** The Wild West Triad - Prequel ***

Cole entered the house, where the other three inhabitants already sat at the supper, watching briefly up as he entered.

"Hey folks, look what the cat brought in."

Mike Campbell and Bastian Summers entered after him, grinning brightly and relieved to be finally at their destination.

Wade's expression went from questioning to pure joy. "Good Lord, Mike! Bastian!" Wade was up from the table fast, crossing the room with long strides, and hugged each of his Brothers. "I'm glad you made it! Did the journey go well?"

"Wade, good to see you finally in person." Mike twinkled his eye, referring to the nightly appearance of Wade's astral projection.

Wade grinned at him turning to Bastian to greet him too. Soon happy chatter filled the room now full of family, related by blood or not. The boys had to endure several times of hearing how they had grown and what ended in them having to unload most things from the wagon.

When they reentered the living room, the Triad sat with steaming coffee cups at the walnut table, already sharing news about hunts and the new Liberty headquarters of the Brotherhood, which Mike had founded a few years ago.

Cole stayed smiling in the doorframe watching the Triad sitting together. He wished it could be like that forever. It was a perfect day. The date with Carolyn had gone so well, he could still taste her lips on his, remember the feel how her lean body had cuddled at him, and still smelled her heavenly odor. Having The Triad at home under their roof was the topping of the cake. Cole didn't have to worry about them; he had his family here reunited and no one would leave today.

He had been spotted by Mike soon. "Cole buddy, come and join us. Tell your Uncle Mike about this young lady," Mike waved him over bringing all attention to the young man. Cole felt the blush on his cheeks but came over to the table, taking a seat next to The Knight.

"Cole had a date today with Carolyn. That was her name, right?" Mike hugged Cole and proudly pulled him closer.

Wade smiled amused. "Yes, I know about his date. For any reason, Sam denied us both to eat the cookies Cole had baked especially for today. The boy mumbled something about a vow he had given. How was the picnic, son?"

Cole looked pleadingly to Bastian who hadn't said something embarrassing so far and saw only a curious smiling Scholar looking forward to a good story.

He sighed, seeing no chance to flee from the inquisition. "It was nice. The cookies were worth the work, but I think I can bake a few for the Triad tomorrow," he just said. "Do we get our own rooms in the new house?" Cole tried to distract from the subject at hand.

"Nice … ," Mike said, grinning mischievously at Cole but had mercy on him, "... yeah it would be nice, having my own room, Wade."

The conversation led to the point where everyone told Wade what they wished for in their new room. It was late at night until all inhabitants of the ranch went to bed. Wade had finished two more beds for Mike and Bastian last week and another room had been added where they had settled the two for now. But the work wasn't done yet at all.

TBC